- News>
- Voices From The Field
Voices from the field - I
What does Independence mean to you? Every year, on August 15, we hear the same cliched question. And in a bid to increase TRPs or circulations we see the same faces every year – mainly page three celebrities. They are weary politicians, sports stars, celebrity designers, Bollywood heroes and so on.
We, at Zeenews.com, refused to tread the off-beaten track. We asked the same question to a few people who work where the heart of India beats. In the rural areas, where people hardly know what Independence means, far as they are removed from the regulation Red Fort promises or A R Rehman’s pop patriotism, these unsung activists work day in and day out on the field for the uplift of the masses.
They are the ones who are actually liberating people – from poverty, illiteracy, fear, insecurity…
They are sharing their views on the meaning of Independence Day with us…
Xavier Dias
A sweltering day in Jaduguda. India`s largest Uranium ore deposits. Toxic radioactive waste lies unattended. Hundreds, in and around the site, are born deformed. Xavier Dias has been crusading against the unspoken and unspeakable harms of radiation and the villages displaced due to unbridled mining. () Ratan Katyayani
Hundreds of romantic tales have been told about gypsies and nomadic tribes of Rajasthan. But who knows that even after 54 years of Independence they do not have voting rights, ration cards - Indian law does not consider then as citizens. Ratan Katyayani and his Muktidhara Sansthan has been working for their rights. () Chitta Behera
All of us know that Olive Ridley turtles, nesting and breeding on the pristine coasts of Orissa, are endangered. But what is being done to save them from extinction. Chitta Behera works day and night to ensure a proper home and nesting place for these poor turtles. ()
Ila Bhatt
Ila Bhat, the founder of `Sewa`, is far removed from the modern day feminists. But she and her organisation have been working since long (1972) for the uplift of the rural women in Kutch region. ()
We, at Zeenews.com, refused to tread the off-beaten track. We asked the same question to a few people who work where the heart of India beats. In the rural areas, where people hardly know what Independence means, far as they are removed from the regulation Red Fort promises or A R Rehman’s pop patriotism, these unsung activists work day in and day out on the field for the uplift of the masses.
They are the ones who are actually liberating people – from poverty, illiteracy, fear, insecurity…
They are sharing their views on the meaning of Independence Day with us…
Xavier Dias
A sweltering day in Jaduguda. India`s largest Uranium ore deposits. Toxic radioactive waste lies unattended. Hundreds, in and around the site, are born deformed. Xavier Dias has been crusading against the unspoken and unspeakable harms of radiation and the villages displaced due to unbridled mining. () Ratan Katyayani
Hundreds of romantic tales have been told about gypsies and nomadic tribes of Rajasthan. But who knows that even after 54 years of Independence they do not have voting rights, ration cards - Indian law does not consider then as citizens. Ratan Katyayani and his Muktidhara Sansthan has been working for their rights. () Chitta Behera
All of us know that Olive Ridley turtles, nesting and breeding on the pristine coasts of Orissa, are endangered. But what is being done to save them from extinction. Chitta Behera works day and night to ensure a proper home and nesting place for these poor turtles. ()
Ila Bhatt
Ila Bhat, the founder of `Sewa`, is far removed from the modern day feminists. But she and her organisation have been working since long (1972) for the uplift of the rural women in Kutch region. ()